But I have yet to meet anyone who can overcome my twin spears.
For ordinary challengers,
my twin spears' bite can easily kill them.
What about the twine ploy?
As for the twine part...
Look...the Snake Formation
is actually a two-pronged attack from the front and rear,
Once the enemy is caught inside,
he's encircled and becomes a sitting duck.
The last part is the devour ploy.
A snake has a stomach to devour its prey.
You should know snakes can swallow prey that's bigger than their mouths,
let's say a hard egg.
A snake will swallow it up bit by bit, until it reaches its stomach.
Engulf your enemy,
that's what devour means,
and it's the key of the formation.
Godfather, if you're the bite,
then the stomach is...
Yang Lin.
This Snake Formation is versatile and lethal,
whoever goes in can never get out alive.
It's a shame that I don't have the formation diagram with me.
I gave it to Yang Lin to set up in Mount Qilin.
Otherwise, I could show it to you.
You would understand immediately.
Maybe we should call it a day.
I have to set out early tomorrow.
Sure. Go to bed early, Godfather.
Let me make the bed for you.
Yingying, we'll spend the night here, we'll start out again tomorrow.
Go to bed early.
Goodnight.
These Sui thuds will do it again.
They should all be exterminated.
Halt.
Master, please.
Beauty, come out, here we are.
This is my mansion.
Get me some silver.
Master.
Take it. Thank you.
Take it...
Rascal...
Assassin...
Come! There's an assassin...come on...
Get her...dead or alive!
Look...
Bravo...
Don't let her get away! Chase!
Yes!
Halt!
There...
Halt...
Stop...
Halt...stop...
Halt... Stop...
Where is she? Where?
Search! Yes.
Miss Shan...
Boss, did the lady in this room has go out yesterday?
Yes, I saw her go out last night.
But she didn't say where she was going.
I told her a girl shouldn't go out in the middle of the night, what if...
Cheng, make sure you take the right direction, or you'll find yourself in some strange place.
I will.
Once I'm done with the formation mission,
I'll go to Beiping to visit you and your father.
Godfather, take care. You too.
Deputy, aren't we going the same direction?
He's taking the main road, we'll take the short cut.
We have to beat him to Wagang.
Halt!
She's in front...
Don't let her get away.
Halt...get her...come on.
Halt! Stop running...
See where you can run!
Go away... Run...
Don't you go...
Yingying...
Let go of me...
Luo Xi, get me plaster... Yes.
And heat up some water. Yes.
Why didn't you kill them all?
I saw them bullying the people...
They deserve to die...
they deserve to die a thousand times...
Why didn't you kill them all?
Let go of me...
Stop it!
You're really just another Sui dog.
You didn't want to save me.
It's just an excuse.
You didn't want to save me...
You didn't... Yingying...
I know how devastated you are,
but we can't stay here.
There are many things waiting for us to do.
Of course I could kill them all,
but so what?
What matters to me now is saving your life.
I don't care...
Deputy, we have to go,
or we won't make it to Wagang in time.
What if...
But her injury is so serious, how can I leave her?
Get out...
Don't save me, let go of me...
Let go of me...go away... I don't need you to save me...
Go away...
I don't need you to save me...
Why? Just one word from them...
and everyone in Er Xian Zhuang had to die?
My sister-in-law was pregnant...
Xiaoxue is only nine years old.
Why? Why did they have to die?
Why?
Li Mi, how dare you try to fool me with a Jinxi to Yangzhou draft!
Prime Minister was perceptive,
or the draft would have gone to Sire.
Did you want to do me in?
General, I've calculated the distance and considered the terrain.
If it starts from Chang'an,
we'll encounter mountains and hard rocks,
the construction will be stalled indefinitely.
With a slight change in direction,
by using Jinxi as the starting point,
and with 100,000 laborers,
the canal can be dug within three months.
But it's not in compliance with the decree.
General Ma, don't worry.
Just repeat what I just said in tomorrow's morning audience,
Sire will not get mad with you.
How dare you refuse to carry out my order?
Sire, please don't get mad.
I'm not refusing to carry out your order.
It's for the project's benefit.
If the canal starts from Chang'an,
we need to lead in water from elsewhere.
It is time and labor consuming.
Also, we will encounter mountains and rocks along the way.
It's not the best option, Sire.
That may be so, but if you're this incompetent,
why should I let you live?
It's my fault, Sire, please forgive me.
Sire, take it easy.
The obstacles do exist,
he didn't mean to ruffle Sire.
Besides, Jinxi is also part of your reign,
so what if the canal starts from there?
Sire, you've been residing in Chang'an for a while,
why not take a trip to Jinxi for some sightseeing?
Once the canal is completed,
we can ride downstream.
It won't cost us that much more time.
Sire, Empress has a point.
You have a point.
You may go.
I have other things to discuss with Prime Minister.
I take your leave.
Get lost!
May I be excused.
Deputy...
Deputy, have a bite.
You've been taking care of her for two days.
Take care of yourself.
Luo Xi, go see if there are people doing a search.
Yes.
Water...
You're awake.
Water... What can I get you?
Water...
Take it easy, don't choke.
How long I have been asleep?
Two days.
Two days?
Aren't you supposed to go tackle the formation? Why are you still here?
We'll go together. I can't leave you here.
No, don't bother with me.
Just go, they're waiting for you. Just go!
Go...go...
Come on, just go...
It's my fault, it's my fault...
I was too willful.
I get people into trouble again and again...
I've botched it, I'm so useless...
Yingying...
It's not your fault. I made my own decision.
Don't worry, once you've recovered, we'll set out together.
I've figured out a way to break the formation.
You have to believe in me.
If I don't take care of you, who will?
Come on, you're ugly to begin with,
you look even worse in tears.
Come on...
With me by your side to protect you, no one can bully you again.
Brother Yanping, it's been some years.
Now we meet again, you haven't changed at all.
I'm old now, but you're still so full of spirit, so eager to excel.
The Ding Twin Spear routine commands awe,
you agreed to come out of retirement to host the formation,
now we can realize the Snake Formation's strength to the full,
and strike fear into the Wagang rebels.
I'll do my utmost.
Good!
Cheers... Cheers...
Those inside listen,
I dare you to come out and face me.
You hide when there's danger, you can call yourself a man?
You usurped my mount and blinded my eye,
I dare you to come out.
I'm going to teach you a lesson today.
Indeed, if you have any guts, come out.
Have you all gone deaf?
They're scared of the Snake Formation.
They dare not come out, they've wet their pants.
Report.
Info from the enemy's camp.
Ding Yanping the Twin Spears has arrived at Mount Qilin.
He's hosting the formation with Yang Lin.
Brother Ji, Counselor, our pants are now on fire,
What are we still waiting for?
Luo Cheng should have been here by now.
Something must have happened.
If he doesn't show up,
that makes breaking the formation even more difficult.
Counselor, it's just a mere formation with two old men,
what's the big deal?
Sire, don't underestimate it.
Back then this stinking Taoist... I mean Brothe rJi,
he totally routed Li Ruhui and I with a formation.
It just worked with you two.
If it had been me, I wouldn't give whatever formation a darn.
I would have easily overcome it.
Really?
Don't ask how I'd do it.
Actually I've fully recovered, let me lead the attack.
Good! Prepare our men.
It doesn't have to be Brother Xiongxin.
We brothers are capable too.
Since it's called the Snake Formation.
It must mimic the snake in some way.
So it's meant for us.
Right, once we charge into it,
we can break Yang Lin's Snake Formation.
No, the formation is very treacherous, it's not as simple as you think.
Sire, we still have to wait for Luo Cheng to come.
We shouldn't launch a hasty attack,
or the consequence will be dire.
Let me make the decision for you.
Since none of you dare to come out, you should draw lots.
Whoever draws the short straw only has his luck to blame.
And let us finish him off.
Let me go out and finish off the clowns, to spare us their nonsense.
Don't be impetuous.
Counselor forbid us to go out, he must have his reasons.
We must be patient.
Let's see how long he can go on.
Come out, cowards.
You dare not come out, you're cowards.
You hear what he said?
The Snake Formation shouldn't be that dangerous for us.
That's what I think too. It's just a snake formation.
When we figure out its vulnerable point, we can break it.
Right, we'll give them our all,
then Yang Lin can't look down on Wagang Fortress.
Right.
We'll cut off Yang Lin's snakehead first, then we'll report back to the others.
Good! Let's go. Let's go.
Jin Cheng, Niu Gai of Wagang here for the challenge.
Whatever you've got, bring it on.
Jin Cheng, let's show this old man here.
You two reckless bandits, you do have some nerve.
Let me give you the chance to learn what the Snake Formation is about.
Set formation.
Bodang, what happened? Did you see Luo Cheng?
Where's Yingying? She's not here with you?
Brother Qiong, Brother Xiongxin, Miss Shan has gone missing.
Yingying...
She left the inn at night, after we had met Luo Cheng.
I haven't seen her since.
I rushed to tell you about it, so you can go look for her.
Delay may put her in danger.
This sister of mine gives me nothing but trouble,
now you guys are drawn into it as well.
I have no time for her this time.
Report, it's serious.
Jin Cheng and Niu Gai slipped out to Mount Qilin, they're surrounded now, their fate is unknown.
They...
Brother Ji has said it time and again,
no one is to challenge the formation on his own, but they wouldn't listen.
Let me go get them out.
No, we have yet to gauge the formation,
it's to our disadvantage if our commander go into it with so many unknowns.
But we have to get them out.
Shan Xiongxin, Wang Junke, you two go get them out.
It's a rescue mission, don't stay behind to fight.
Yes. Yes.
Hit the snake seven inches from the head.
Here it is.
This man is a spear adept indeed.
There's such an adept in Wagang Fortress.
His routine looks familiar,
but I'm not sure.
We must enhance our formation routine, to strengthen the weak points,
in case this man breaks it.
The dead are dead, return their bodies.
Why is he so gravely injured?
When I got to Mount Qilin,
Brother Jin Cheng had already lost consciousness due to his injury.
His injury is fatal, I think...
Where is Niu Gai?
Niu Gai?
Report, Lord Mount Yang Lin has returned General Niu Gai's body to us.
In our swearing in, we made it clear,
Wagang men will obey deployments.
An order is an order.
But Niu Gai and Jin Cheng launched an attack on their own,
they gave no regard to our orders.
Let me reiterate,
no launching attacks on one's own.
Give my order, announce a seize-fire.
Your Honor, they've announced a seize-fire.
Seize-fire.
This Snake Formation looks like a snake,
its vicious parts correspond to a snake's.
It can be broken up into the snake head, tail and stomach.
The head and tail complement each other.
They can attack individually or jointly.
When the head and the tail align,
they form a two-pronged attack on the enemy.
Ordinary challengers can't even make it pass the snake head.
It's a formidable formation indeed.
Also, it's versatile,
we don't know if the ambushes or deployments are shams or not.
If we go for an attack without any clues,
we'll get lost inside.
The formation is not for an individual to break.
According to what you say,
the formation is unbreakable.
There is a way to break it.
As the saying goes, know thyself and thy enemy, then victory is assured.
My godfather Ding Yanping told me
the formation diagram is with Yang Lin.
If we want to break the formation, we have to get the diagram.
Don't worry.
We have all kinds of talent among us.
A diagram is nothing, we can even find a needle in a haystack.
I have a choice, what do you think?
I know who you're thinking.
Xie Yingdeng.
Let him slip into Mount Qilin to steal the diagram.
Brother Xie, I'd like you to slip into Mount Qilin to steal the formation diagram,
will you do it?
Your order is my command.
We should get it as soon as possible, to avoid further complications.
Guys, don't worry,
I'll set out right away.
I'll get the diagram.
Brother Xie, be careful when you're there.
Even if you can't get it, come back soon.
We can always think up another way.
Yes.
The formation is hard to break.
Indeed, we lost two generals to it already.
We've never had such a setback before.
Isn't this Yang Lin's barracks?
Was I deliberately led here?
It's odd, who's that man?
If he's an enemy, he'll report me.
There should be people searching for me by now.
But I've seen no guards so far.
If he's a friend, and he led me here,
Why didn't he reveal himself?
Li Er, this is the shaoxing wine His Honor asked for.
Be careful, you can't afford to break it.
It won't happen.
I have dishes to prepare,
Deliver the wine, alright?
Yes.
Be quiet.
Yes, don't harm me.
Tell me, who is the wine for?
His Lordship...
Be specific, who?
Who else is in the hall?
What are they doing?
I just know Lord Mount is hosting a feast for Ding Yanping,
That's all I know. That's the truth.
Don't harm me.
Li Er, I'm sorry.
No...
These expensive wines were left lying around
Indeed...
Li Er...
Stop calling him.
Let's deliver the wine ourselves.
We'll settle the score with him later.
Li Er, just wait here.
You will be found when morning comes.
The wine His Honor demands.
Alright, you can go. Come on.
This deserves a celebration.
We totally routed them.
Come on, cheers... Cheers...
Your Honor, wine's here.
It's my treasured vintage Shaoxing wine.
It's fit for this occasion.
I'm only sharing it with you.
Come on, have more.
Brother Yanping, have more.
Brother Yanping, you've had a long day.
The Snake Formation is powerful indeed.
The bandits suffered a heavy loss.
Come on, my toast to you.
You're too kind. Come on...
What's this taste?
Hold it.
Come. Yes.
Summon the wine guys. Yes.
Tell them to drink it. Yes.
Drink it.
Please forgive me...
I don't know why it's turned into urine.
Please forgive me...
I know you wouldn't have the nerve to do it.
It was sabotaged.
You may go.
Just go. Yes.
Xue Liang. Yes.
Take this key and go to the library at the back.
Get me the formation diagram from the chest.
I want to have a look. Yes.
He does the hard work for me.
Brother Lin, why take it out?
Brother Yanping, it's nothing special.
You've added a few variations,
I don't quite understand them.
The diagram is the key to the formation,
I want you to explain it to me.